Hi Mom
Dave Gess, time, 09.22.2000

Hi Mom,

I’m here at camp.  It is kinda boring these guys just keep setting records. What is it now 42?  Oh no that’s not it, it just feels that way. One on Wednesday, three on Thursday, three (maybe 4, Richard is out trying again as I type this) on Friday.   Frankly I have lost track.  This place has an other worldly quality about it that will make just about anyone disoriented.  People are thinking of only one thing, SPEED.  Everybody talks MPH and HP.  Nobody talks politics or baseball.  They will discuss the weather but not like you or I are used to.  They don’t mention temperature just air density.

And the people.  Wow this is one amazing group of characters.  Of course how many folks do you know who have gone 200 MPH?  Now I have met several.  Plus a few have done 300 MPH and even one guy who has done 450 MPH. These folks are not the guys next door.  Or for that matter the girl next door. 

I can’t possibly name them all but here are a few;

Tanis Hammond, trying to break 300 mph and falling just 2 MPH short.  “Two of the most difficult MPH we have ever tried to do” was her comment.

Henry Louie, our most helpful tech inspector, has rolled a streamlined motorcycle at 200 plus mph.  Jokes about it.

Land Speed Louise, chronicler of all things at Bonneville, was out trying to ride a one wheeled motorcycle, one where you sit INSIDE the wheel.

Bud Greenville bumped his own record on a 2000cc unfaired Harley.  The thing is practically unridable it makes so much power but he manages to get it up to 166 MPH.  

The list goes on and on.   Motorized bar stools, one wheeled motorcycles, Studebakers that go 200 MPH.  We saw a guy go 450 MPH.  450 MPH.  It was like watching a fighter jet take off.    Two V-8 motors and it just shot down the track.  Then the chute failed and he coasted for 5 miles down the track.

So anyway  Mom camp is ok, food is good and the guys are fun.  See you soon.

Dave

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